The Courier-Journal (Louisville)
Letters to the Editor
Maintain the integrity of the original park plan
As the step-daughter of Mayor William Stansbury, I have no doubt that Bill would want a park where University of Louisville students could relax, meet up with friends and enjoy being outside of brick and mortar. Renovate the tennis courts and create an atmosphere that is inclusive of all. Bill was man who made sure that everyone had a seat at the table, he was an avid athlete and enjoy being outside regardless of the weather. Please honor his name by maintaining the integrity of the original plan!
— Elizabeth Martin, 40241
U of L needs to be kept out of the plans for Stansbury
As someone who was raised in Louisville, the parks in this city are hugely important to me. The state of Stansbury Park is disheartening, and it is frankly embarrassing that a Master Plan was created 17 years ago, but there has been no improvement or work done since. I find it deeply concerning that just one year after the University of Louisville helped to create this Master Plan, the former Dean of Education at U of L was sentenced to 63 months in prison after fraudulently obtaining grant money from the university. Between this scandal and the university buying a half acre of the park with promise of renovations, just for nothing to be done, I think that the University of Louisville needs to be kept out of the plans for Stansbury. Coming from a UofL student, we have enough green spaces on campus. I want this park to be a place for the public to enjoy. Stansbury Park has the potential to be a functional, fun space for the community, and I firmly believe that its renovation needs to be left to the city, not the university.
— Catarina Biek, 40202
Stansbury Park should not become an institutionalized environment
The University of Louisville must prioritize the advancement of student education and stop meddling with properties that are not under their ownership. As a student who loves attending the University of Louisville, student education should be the top priority! The university does a great job providing scholars with new additions to the campus, such as the 87-million-dollar construction of two new residence halls on the Belknap Campus, or the more recently announced 90-million-dollar project for Next-Generation Engineering Students.
Stansbury Park serves as a hub for students—but also residents in the surrounding area, this park is a place to connect and build a stronger community. It's concerning that U of L's proposal to "Acquire and Redesign" the park could transform this communal space into an institutionalized environment. I suggest the Louisville Parks and Recreation team stand firm in fostering sustainable communities. How can we allow a nonprofit institution, which is supposed to invest its revenue back into instruction and focus on students, to destroy the works envisioned by Fedrick Law Olmsted? We must ask ourselves how we can honor Olmsted's vision and preserve the established works that inspire a stronger social community.
— Ashley Rutland, 40208
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